The surname Merlod is a name whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. It was a Norman name for a someone who bore a fancied resemblance to a blackbird having derived from the Old French word merle, meaning blackbird.

Early History of the Merlod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Merlod research.Another 549 words (39 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1302, 1306, 1509, 1560, 1562, 1575, 1731, 1776, 1789, 1798, 1809, 1810, 1811, and 1845 are included under the topic Early Merlod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Merlod Spelling Variations

The many different spellings of French surnames can be partially explained by the use of local dialects and by the influence of other languages during the early development of the French language. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Merlod is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Marleau, Marleaux, Marlaud, Marlault, Marlet, Marlette, Marlod, Marlot, Marlotte, Marle, Merle, Merleau, Merleaux, Merlaud, Merlault, Merlet, Merlette, Merlod, Merlot, Merlotte, du Merle, Marlout, Marloux, Merlout and many more.

Early Notables of the Merlod family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Merlod Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Merlod family to the New World and Oceana

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Merlod has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Merlod were André Merlot-LePetit-Laramee, who settled in Quebec in 1678; Louis Edmund Merle, who arrived in New York in 1823; Jean, aged 32; Anne, aged 31; Jean, aged 9.